Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Antonio was still consoling Winters, telling him how he should respond: "Fulfill your duty."

As they rode back home from the parliamentary hall, close to the entrance to their house, Antonio casually mentioned, "The navy is clearing the nearby seas. Once they've cleared the shipping lanes, the Third Legion will be striking out. Get ready and sort out any outstanding business."

"What? We're sending out troops so soon?" Winters suddenly became alert, "This is too hasty, the warships, gunpowder, shells, provisions... Are we prepared yet?"

"We are not ready, but we must respond," Antonio said with a slight bitter smile, "The anger of the people is a fire that can burn both the enemy and ourselves. If we don't retaliate when attacked, public opinion will crush the government. The Politburo needs a victory now more than ever to establish its authority."

"Monarchs should not start wars in anger, and generals should not launch attacks out of resentment. This is chaos, you should firmly oppose such reckless orders!"

"I've read 'The Art of War: The Volume of Blazing Fire' too," Antonio shifted the conversation, "but let me ask you a question. Do you think there is a better commander in Vineta than me right now?"

"No!"

Although it sounded like flattery, this was Winters's honest opinion.

The Vineta Republic named the Third Legion after itself, which spoke volumes about the troop's combat capability. And the Commander of the Grand Vineta was undoubtedly the most excellent commander in the whole Republic.

"Yes, I think so too." Antonio sounded self-promoting, but there was not a trace of arrogance on his face, as calm as if discussing the weather, "So if I oppose, will the Quintet give up on seeking a swift victory?"

"They would consider your opinion."

"I have already voiced my opposition, but the Quintet asked me to obey the orders. If I continue to firmly oppose, they will replace me and have someone else command the attack."

"Then let someone else do it."

"And then what? Watch the Third Legion suffer unnecessary losses due to a change in command right before battle? Smugly boast about having foresight?" Antonio pulled the reins tightly and stopped, speaking seriously to his nephew, "Listen well, Winters, never say 'I told you so,' even if you did. We are soldiers of Vineta, and as long as we're being paid, we have to serve the interest of the Republic to the best of our ability!"

Antonio rarely spoke to the children with such severity, whether it was to Winters or to Elizabeth. It was Kosa who was the stricter parent, while the colonel was the one who covered for the children.

Chastised, Winters lowered his head, and Antonio realized that he had been a bit too angry, and gently said, "The Politburo has made up its mind, and all a soldier can do is to try their best to win the war. The interests of Vineta must come first; the Alliance has eradicated the nobility, but we officers are the Knights guarding her."

Winters grunted an acknowledgment. In his view, most officers simply regarded their military position as a job and did not elevate loyalty to the level of a Knight's fealty to their liege. Although he admired Antonio, Winters did not think himself capable of such nobility.

The parliamentary hall was not far from their home, and they arrived shortly. A grubby little beggar wearing an oversized hat was peeking through the fence.

Seeing the two officers return, the little beggar ran away in panic. With a large number of dispossessed farmers flooding into the city, Sea Blue City had many more beggars than before. The street where the Serviati Residence was located was under tight security, being a priority patrol area for the police headquarters, but even so, it was not unusual to see people begging.

"Go after him and find out who he is. If he's just a beggar, give him some money. Tell him not to come near our house again," Antonio instructed, pointing at the retreating figure of the little beggar.

Winters nodded and spurred his horse to follow.

Antonio took care of his bay horse in the stable first, and then entered the house through the back door.

As soon as he entered, Elizabeth came running over anxiously and grabbed his arm, "Dad, are you and my brother going off to fight in a war?"

"Who said that?" Antonio asked with a smile.

"Everyone's talking about it, the whole Sea Blue City is discussing the war, even my female companions at the art studio are talking about it, and the old ladies are telling stories about the wars from over twenty years ago. Where are you going to fight? Is it dangerous? Why does my brother have to go too?"

Antonio ruffled his daughter's hair, speaking in a light tone, "It's not dangerous. Your brother and I just have to take a boat to a small island at sea, take a turn around, and this war will be over."

"If you play dumb with Elizabeth, she'll grow up to be a foolish woman," Kosa walked over and said discontentedly to Antonio, "Have some faith in the children we've raised. Ella is sixteen now, and she's strong enough to understand what's going to happen."

Kosa took Elizabeth into the living room, had her sit down squarely on the sofa, and sat down on either side of her with Antonio.

Clasping Elizabeth's hands, Kosa explained earnestly to her daughter, "War is the most violent way to resolve disputes, with two groups of people slaughtering each other until one side gives in. That's why we have soldiers. If soldiers go to war, then others don't have to bleed. Your father and brother are soldiers, so even though they will miss you terribly, they have to leave home to go to war. Do you understand? They're not leaving home because they don't love you."